Inklingo
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fila

/FEE-lah/

line

Five brightly colored, stylized people standing one behind the other, forming a clear queue or line.

A group of people waiting patiently in a fila (line/queue).

fila(noun)

fA1

line

?

queue of people

,

queue

?

British English for waiting line

Also:

waiting line

?

explicit description

📝 In Action

Hay una fila muy larga para comprar entradas.

A1

There is a very long line to buy tickets.

Por favor, pónganse en fila antes de entrar al museo.

A2

Please, get in line before entering the museum.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cola (queue (especially common in Spain))

Common Collocations

  • hacer fila – to wait in line/to queue
  • primera fila – front of the line

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Check

Remember that 'fila' is a feminine noun, so you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la fila', 'una fila larga').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'Fila' and 'Cola'

Mistake: "Using 'fila' in Spain where 'cola' (meaning tail/queue) is much more common."

Correction: In Mexico, Central America, and the US, 'fila' is standard for a queue. In Spain, use 'cola' (hacer cola).

⭐ Usage Tips

The Key Verb

The most common way to say 'to queue' is 'hacer fila' (literally, 'to make a line').

A horizontal arrangement of six identical, brightly colored chairs lined up perfectly side-by-side.

A neat fila (row) of red chairs arranged horizontally.

fila(noun)

fA2

row

?

horizontal arrangement of seats or objects

Also:

rank

?

military or organizational context

📝 In Action

Nos sentamos en la tercera fila del teatro.

A2

We sat in the third row of the theater.

El agricultor plantó tres filas de maíz.

B1

The farmer planted three rows of corn.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • hilera (row, line (often of trees/objects))

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • fila de asientos – row of seats
  • fila india – single file line

Idioms & Expressions

  • en fila india – in single file (one behind the other)

💡 Grammar Points

Rows vs. Columns

In charts or spreadsheets, 'fila' is the horizontal arrangement (the row), while 'columna' is the vertical arrangement (the column).

⭐ Usage Tips

Asking for a Seat

If you are at a cinema or stadium, you will use 'fila' to specify where you want to sit: '¿En qué fila estamos?' (Which row are we in?)

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: fila

Question 1 of 2

Which phrase correctly means 'to wait in line' in most of Latin America?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

filete(steak/strip/fillet) - noun
filamento(filament) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'fila' used for a line drawn on paper?

No, if you mean a drawn straight mark, you should use 'línea'. 'Fila' is reserved for arrangements of people or objects (queues, rows of seats, etc.).

How do I say 'front row'?

You say 'la primera fila'. 'Primera' (first) comes before 'fila' (row).